Tarla's Non-Toolbar Treasures is a giveaway page on the Neopets platform where users can obtain virtual items, Neopoints, and sometimes exclusive avatar components. The giveaway is hosted by Tarla, a Red Ixi character who also operates the Shop of Mystery on Terror Mountain. Historically, this giveaway functioned in conjunction with a downloadable Neopets toolbar that would alert users when prizes were available. The toolbar is no longer available for download, but the giveaway page remains active and distributes prizes at random intervals throughout the day on select days.
The system operates without the automated alerts provided by the former toolbar. Consequently, users must manually visit the giveaway page to check for availability. When Tarla is "in," she remains available for a limited duration, typically 15 to 16 minutes. During these windows, users who access the page are awarded a prize. The timing of these appearances is random and does not follow a predictable daily schedule.
Mechanisms of the Giveaway
The giveaway page functions independently of Adobe Flash, despite the presence of Flash-based animations on the site. Users do not need to enable Flash or install any browser plugins to receive prizes. Visiting the page while Tarla is present is sufficient to trigger the item reward, which is deposited directly into the user's inventory.
There are two distinct types of prizes available during a giveaway day: the Main Prize and the standard prize.
- Main Prize: This is awarded only during the first three minutes of any of Tarla's visits for the day. Users who access the page within this three-minute window receive the Main Prize. If multiple users find her during this window, they all receive the same Main Prize. On days when the Main Prize is a Secret Laboratory Map Piece, every user receiving the Main Prize will receive the same specific piece of the map.
- Standard Prize: If a user visits the page more than three minutes after Tarla arrives, or if they miss the Main Prize window entirely, they may still receive a standard prize. These items are generally of lower value than the Main Prize.
Determining Availability
Because the toolbar is defunct, users must determine if Tarla is issuing prizes on a given day by visiting the giveaway page. The page displays specific messages depending on Tarla's status:
- "Tarla is at the prize warehouse right now. Check back later to see if she's here!": This message indicates that Tarla is scheduled to award prizes during random periods throughout the day. Users should check back periodically.
- "Tarla is busy with her other chores today.": This message indicates that Tarla will not be giving out any prizes on that particular day.
When Tarla is not currently "in," users may also see a message stating, "Tarla has left the building."
The Defunct Neopets Toolbar
Historically, the Neopets toolbar was a browser extension that provided alerts for Tarla's appearances. The toolbar is no longer available for download from official Neopets channels. However, references to the toolbar persist in older guides and community discussions.
The toolbar functioned by flashing an alert button when Tarla was active. Users who clicked the alert were directed to claim their prize. If a user was too late to respond, the prize value was reduced, or the user received a message indicating Tarla had already left.
User Reports on Toolbar Functionality
Community discussions provide anecdotal information regarding the toolbar's operation, though these reports are not verified by official Neopets documentation.
- Eligibility: According to user reports, membership in Neopets Premium is not required to receive gifts from the toolbar. The toolbar is available to all users.
- Browser Compatibility: Some users reported issues with the toolbar's alert timing when using Mozilla Firefox. A user suggested that a plugin might be required for correct timing, claiming that without it, alerts might be delayed by an hour. Other users reported successful operation without plugins.
- Prize Value: User reports suggest that items obtained from the toolbar are generally worth between 20,000 and 80,000 Neopoints. Occasionally, higher-value items such as Pirate Petpet Paintbrushes have been distributed.
- Operation: When the alert flashes (turning yellow), clicking it should initiate the prize claim process. If a user clicks the alert but Tarla has already left, she may display a "shoo" message, indicating no prize is available.
Related Avatars
Two avatars are associated with Tarla and her activities:
- Tarla - Shop of Mystery: This avatar is obtained by successfully making any purchase at Tarla's Shop of Mystery, which is located at the top of Terror Mountain.
- Grundo - Discarded Plushie: This avatar is randomly awarded when a user interacts with the Discarded Magical Blue Grundo Plushie of Prosperity in Faerieland.
Conclusion
Tarla's Non-Toolbar Treasures remains a functional, no-cost method for Neopets users to acquire virtual items. While the original toolbar alert system is obsolete, the giveaway page continues to operate on random days. Users must manually check the page to determine availability and claim prizes. The randomness of the schedule and the lack of automated alerts require users to check the page periodically to maximize their chances of obtaining the Main Prize or standard items. No installation of software or payment of fees is required to participate.